State Matters - 29 June 2026
- Dave Layzell MP
- Jun 29
- 7 min read
BUDGET OVERVIEW
NO firm start date for construction of the New England Highway Muswellbrook bypass and only two new projects were the story for Upper Hunter from last week’s State budget.
A commitment to a public early learning centre at Muswellbrook Public School and funding towards road corridor upgrades between Muswellbrook and Armidale to support the New England Renewable Energy Zone are the new projects.
Otherwise, progress payments continue for work already underway such as the Singleton Bypass and the Singleton Police Station, Muswellbrook Hospital, Muswellbrook TAFE and Hunter Regional Livestock Exchange upgrades.
Sadly, it was another city-centric budget that failed to provide the vision and leadership needed to help regional NSW with Labor’s plan for cost-of-living relief focused on Sydney toll roads and public transport.
The NSW Liberals and Nationals Budget Reply outlined a plan to support families, back jobs and included a strong focus on delivering for regional communities.
Measures such as the Regional Infrastructure Guarantee for at least 25 per cent of all new infrastructure spending to be directed to regional NSW, delivering payroll tax reform, and a $300 million biosecurity and feral animal control program.
AWARD WINNING ROAD
Daracon Group has won its section of the Civil Contractors Federation NSW Earth Awards for the Coulsons Creek Road MR358 road repairs.
The restoration of the Merriwa-Willow Tree Road took the title in the category for projects valued between $30 million and $75 million.
In January 2021, MR358 was closed to all traffic when problems developed after earlier construction work undertaken in 2019.
Upper Hunter Shire Council secured Australian and NSW Government funding for the project with Daracon commencing work in March 2024 and completing the project late last year.
The reopening of Coulsons Creek Road reconnected the Upper Hunter to the New England North-West ending lengthy journeys for motorists between Merriwa, Quirindi and Tamworth.
GOODBYE HRT
The Upper Hunter’s media landscape has changed again with the final edition of the Hunter River Times hitting the newsstands last Friday.
For the past six years readers in Scone, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Branxton and Maitland have enjoyed a free, fortnightly, independent local paper.
I want to thank publisher, Shane Davey, for stepping up in 2020 when COVID first impacted the Upper Hunter's established local newspapers.
To the most amazing Di Sneddon, on behalf of your readers please accept our gratitude for the immense amount of work that you have put into each edition for our communities.
To Di, Shane and The Hunter River Times team, thank you for the memories and rest assured your contribution will be missed.
ENERGY PLAN
The NSW Nationals and Liberals energy plan announced last week will ensure the transition is affordable, deliverable and undertaken in partnership with communities.
NSW needs new generation and storage as coal retires, but the scope and scale of the New England Renewable Energy Zone, will be reviewed and revised.
The review will prioritise upgrades to existing transmission infrastructure and remove the need for the proposed 500kV transmission line corridor between Muswellbrook and Walcha.
The centrepiece is the creation of the Sydney City Renewable Energy Zone which will unlock the potential of industrial precincts, commercial buildings and apartment complexes across Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.
The plan will also prioritise scoping studies and support for an Outback Renewable Energy Zone as part of a more diverse and resilient energy system for NSW.
CLANS GATHER
Aberdeen Highland Games celebrates its 25th anniversary this Saturday, July 4, when Jefferson Park is the muster point for the annual gathering of the clans.
A parade of bands including clan representatives begins the day’s festivities at 9am with the Massed Band Salute setting the scene for the Chieftain’s Address by Cam McKellar of Willow Tree.
Activities during the day include highland and country dancing, pipe band displays, strong man events and the famed kilted dash.
Celebrations continue into the evening with a Pipe Band Quintet competition at Aberdeen then on Sunday St Alban’s Church, Muswellbrook hosts the Kirkin’ of the Tartan service.
For the full program, check: https://aberdeenhighlandgames.com
GOOD NEWS!
One year on from the East Coast severe weather event that deluged the MidCoast, Hunter coast and the Upper Hunter in May 2025, endangered turtles have shown their resilience.
New monitoring has revealed encouraging signs for the endangered Manning River turtle population which have returned in numbers comparable to pre-flood levels.
Surveys by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water show the species has persisted in key habitats including the Barnard, upper Barrington and upper Gloucester rivers.
Monitoring also highlighted broader ecosystem recovery with underwater surveys recording strong recruitment of native fish species, including juvenile Australian bass, freshwater herring and freshwater mullet.
Discover more about the Manning River turtle’s story, at:
ONLINE REPRESENTATION
Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman (TIO), Cynthia Gebert, is stepping up the conversation on the urgent need to support Australian consumers impacted by online problems.
The TIO has released a new report, ‘Someone To Turn To’, commissioned by the Ombudsman and prepared by the Consumer Policy Research Centre.
It reveals the growing impact of online problems and the urgent need for Australian consumers to have support.
Four in five Australians have experienced problems online, over half of the people surveyed were impacted financially with Australians losing an estimated $497 million a year due to problems with digital services.
Three in four people want free and independent support to handle online complaints, and 83 per cent are open to the TIO expanding its role to do it.
A webinar on Thursday, 23 July, 10-10.50am, will hear about the report findings, consumer stories and what Australians want to see change and help shape what comes next.
To participate in the webinar, register at:
WINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY
Upper Hunter Electorate public schools will again be part of the Share Our Space
program over the winter school holiday from Monday, 6 July.
Booral, Dungog, Broke, Muswellbrook, Scone and Ellerston public schools will be open daily, 8am-5pm, with Gloucester and Stroud public schools open on weekends only 8am–5pm.
Share Our Space involves public schools opening their outdoor spaces, playgrounds and sports fields for communities to enjoy for free.
It’s an opportunity to kick a footy, have a game of basketball, catch-up with friends or enjoy some fresh air with the family as you make the most of the shared spaces.
Conditions of entry to school grounds prohibit the use of bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, drones or model aeroplanes and golf, only companion animals are allowed, commercial or organised activity is not permitted without prior approval.
For more information on Share Our Space locations, check:
SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Singleton, Muswellbrook and Dungog will participate in the NSW Government’s Holiday Break program which provides free access to activities during the school holiday.
Holiday Break supports young people to develop skills, connect with others, and explore new ideas with activities covering a variety of interests.
Singleton Youth Venue will be a hive of activities across the two weeks from Dungeons and Dragons to a Lego Build Day, aromatherapy workshop, board games and cards plus pickle ball, table tennis and fuse ball.
Muswellbrook Indoor Sports Centre is the venue for a Winter Wonderland-themed silent disco on Tuesday, 14 July, 11am-2pm.
And, Dungog Shire Community Centre has planned a trip to Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay on Wednesday 15 July, 8am-3pm.
To see what is on offer, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/living-nsw/young-people/about/holiday-break
SINGLETON’S NAIDOC WEEK
Humour, storytelling and cultural insight with acclaimed comedian Andy Saunders at Singleton Public Library on Sunday, 5 July, will launch this year’s local NAIDOC Week events.
The Singleton NAIDOC Community Day at Singleton Showground on Wednesday, 8 July, 10am-2pm, will feature a day of free entertainment, cultural experiences and family-friendly activities for people of all ages.
Children’s author and illustrator Melissa-Jane Fogarty will also hold a special Storytime at Singleton Library on Saturday, 11 July, at 10am.
Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre’s contribution to NAIDOC Week will focus on showing a series of special film screenings in the gallery from Tuesday, 7 July, to Sunday, 12 July.
Information about Singleton’s NAIDOC activities, is available from: www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/naidoc
NET ZERO INPUT
A Call for Evidence has gone out from the Net Zero Commission to assist development of the first NSW-specific decarbonisation pathways.
The state has legislated targets to cut emissions and reach net zero by 2050 with the Commission seeking feedback from across all sectors, communities and regions.
To build the pathways properly, the Commission needs evidence and data from the people who know their sectors and communities best.
The Call for Evidence will examine improving the effectiveness of NSW’s transition to net zero, sector and workforce transitions, and addressing socio-economic priorities for a just transition.
Industry, businesses, researchers, community organisations and individuals are being asked to have their say by Friday, 31 July, at: www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/call-for-evidence-on-pathways.
PROJECT UPDATE
Community information sessions are being held this week at Merriwa to provide an update on the Goulburn River solar farm.
The Merriwa Meeting Room of the old library is the location for drop-in sessions on Wednesday, 1 July, 3.30-6.30pm, and Thursday, 2 July, 7.30-9.30am.
Lightsource BP is progressing plans to improve the battery storage system for the project located between Merriwa and Wollar.
Further information on the Goulburn River solar farm can be found at: https://lightsourcebp.com/project/goulburn-river-solar/
And, Idemitsu Australia conducted community consultation last weekend in Muswellbrook on its proposed Hunter Vanadium Flow Battery project for the former Muswellbrook coal mine site: https://idemitsu.com.au/projects/
INDUSTRIAL HEMP
A new Hemp Industry Development Plan is set to unlock opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry.
The plan outlines a roadmap for industry growth through targeted research and development, stronger supply chains, market expansion and a supportive policy and regulatory framework.
Industrial hemp has potential for use as a fibre for textiles, rope, composites and building materials whilst hemp seeds can be used to produce oils, food ingredients, protein powder and cosmetics.
The plan focuses on areas where the government, industry and stakeholders can collaborate to address local needs and position the NSW industrial hemp industry to capitalise on the potential global and domestic growth of the emerging industry.
For more on the Hemp Industry Development Plan, go to:
Contact:
Email address: upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au;
New Address: 94 John Street Singleton 2330
Postal Address: PO Box 60 Singleton NSW 2330
Ph: 6543 1065
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